Generosity is represented in many Bible passages using not only time, talents and money as gifts, but also abundant love and forgiveness mirroring God’s generous grace.
The story of the widow’s two mites is most impressive to me because she gave away her life’s savings, her next meals, her everything to God.
“…but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:4 NIV)
The widow held nothing back for herself. She was not worried about tomorrow. All that mattered was today. Her only thought was what she could give to her Lord today. She trusted God with her tomorrows.
What would it take for my gift to match the widow’s gift? For me to trust God with all my tomorrows?
Can I imagine wiping out my entire savings account to give to God? My checking account, too?
Giving away all those IRAs put away for future years?
Emptying the cash in my pocketbook? Or the stash under the mattress, waiting for a dream to come true?
Can I please keep the twenty-dollar bills in the decorative tin - in case of an emergency? And the quarters for parking meters in my car’s glove box?
The widow didn’t have all these resources, but out of her great love for God, I’m pretty sure she would have given most of them away to help others.
I may not be able to let go of everything like the widow did, but I can trust God to show me where the need is greatest. Whether my heart hurts for hurricane victims, cancer patients, hungry children or homeless people, whatever I give will be a blessing to someone.
What time or talents, or money, or love, or forgiveness can I give today that will give glory to God and help others?
Lord God, you are so generous. Look at all you have given us. Help us to look beyond ourselves, dip into our bank accounts, be generous with our time, and find opportunities to share what we have with others. We pray in the name of the Jesus, the one who gave his life for us, our Jesus, who gave all he had. Amen.
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